In picture, from left: Gidi Shilo, Co-Chair, Partnership 2000; Tamar Simchi-Seifer, CEO, MATI-Haifa; Israel Shotland, Chair, MATI-Haifa; Yossi Duek, Deputy Mayor, Kiryat Bialik

The Economic Development project in Kiryat Bialik was initiated and funded by the Jewish Federation of SPBC, KB's Sister City within the Jewish Agency's Partnership 2000. It is professionally operated by MATI-Haifa (Small Businesses Development Center) in cooperation with KB municipality and Partnership 2000. As the second year of the project is coming to an end, MATI-Haifa held a conference titled "The Social Network", in which 150 business owners and new entrepreneurs from KB and the region took part.

Yossi Duek, KB's deputy mayor, thanked the Jewish Federation and everyone involved in the project for their contribution to the business community in KB. Israel Shotland, chair of MATI-Haifa, noted MATI's activities and expertise in promotion through the internet. Gidi Shilo, chair of P2K steering committee in KB, emphasized the significant contribution of the SPBC community to the economic development in KB.

Six project participants presented their personal story. These owners of a wide variety of businesses - from reflexology to enrichment activities to furniture factory and shop - remarked on the importance of the mentorship and business training they received throughout a process of professional development, enabling them to turn an idea into a successful business. An enlightening lecture from Dr. Yaniv Levyatan, psychological warfare and internet marketing specialist, was illustrated with examples of how to direct the enormous power of the social networks into massive, expense-free marketing.

Tamar Simchi-Seifer, MATI-Haifa CEO, noted that following the broad interest in the subject of social networks, MATI is planning various practical trainings to provide tips and tools for business promotion through the internet.

Partnership 2000 between KB and SPBC has been operating successfully for over eight years; the economic development project is now completing its second year. 150 business owners and new entrepreneurs received personal, professional mentorship as well as group training in business management. The project has contributed significantly to maintaining jobs and creating new ones in KB.